Foundering of the Grab Dredger ZANDER and Drowning of Two Seamen on 24 November 2014 in the North Sea North of Norderney
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Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation Federal Higher Authority subordinated to the Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure Dutch Safety Board Investigation Report 370/14 Very Serious Marine Casualty Foundering of the grab dredger ZANDER and drowning of two seamen on 24 November 2014 in the North Sea north of Norderney 1 July 2016 BundesstBel le fürSSeeuUnfalluntersuchung Ref.: 370/14 Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation The following is a joint report by the German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation, as lead investigating authority, and the marine casualty investigating authority of the Netherlands. These bodies have conducted this investigation jointly and in accordance with the IMO Casualty Investigation Code (Resolution MSC.255(84)). The working language used for this joint investigation was English. The German text shall prevail in the interpretation of this report. The investigation was conducted in conformity with the Law to improve safety of shipping by investigating marine casualties and other incidents (Maritime Safety Investigation Law – SUG) of 16 June 2002, amended most recently by Article 1 of 22 November 2011, BGBl. (Federal Law Gazette) I p. 2279. According to said Law, the sole objective of this investigation is to prevent future accidents and malfunctions. This investigation does not serve to ascertain fault, liability or claims (Article 9(2) SUG). This report should not be used in court proceedings or proceedings of the Maritime Board. Reference is made to Article 34(4) SUG. Issued by: Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung – BSU (Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation) Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78 20359 Hamburg Germany Director: Volker Schellhammer Phone: +49 40 31908300 Fax: +49 40 31908340 [email protected] www.bsu-bund.de _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 31 BundesstBel le fürSSeeuUnfalluntersuchung Ref.: 370/14 Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation Table of Contents 1 SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 5 2 FACTUAL INFORMATION ................................................................................. 6 2.1 Photo .................................................................................................... 6 2.2 Ship particulars ..................................................................................... 6 2.3 Voyage particulars ................................................................................ 7 2.4 Marine casualty or incident information ................................................ 8 2.5 Shore authority involvement and emergency response ........................ 9 3 COURSE OF THE ACCIDENT AND INVESTIGATION ................................... 10 3.1 Course of the accident ....................................................................... 10 3.2 Investigation ....................................................................................... 11 3.2.1 History of the ship and sale ................................................................ 11 3.2.2 Ship arrangement and equipment ...................................................... 12 3.2.3 Certification by Register Holland ........................................................ 14 3.2.4 Manning ............................................................................................. 14 3.2.5 Course of the voyage ......................................................................... 14 3.2.6 Rescue operation ............................................................................... 16 3.2.7 Weather and sea conditions ............................................................... 19 3.2.7.1 Underlying data .................................................................................. 19 3.2.7.2 Weather situation on 24 November 2014 ........................................... 19 3.2.7.3 Weather and sea conditions in the area of the accident between midnight and 0800 .............................................................................. 20 3.2.7.4 Wind measurements of the NORDIC ................................................. 23 3.2.7.5 Weather forecasts for the German Bight ............................................ 23 3.2.8 Investigation of the wreck ................................................................... 24 4 ANALYSIS........................................................................................................ 26 4.1 Ship approval and condition ............................................................... 26 4.2 Crew and organisation of the transfer voyage .................................... 27 4.3 Water ingress ..................................................................................... 27 4.4 Life-saving appliances and likelihood of survival ................................ 29 5 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................................................... 30 6 SOURCES ....................................................................................................... 31 7 APPENDIX ....................................................................................................... 31 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 of 31 BundesstBel le fürSSeeuUnfalluntersuchung Ref.: 370/14 Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation Table of Figures Figure 1: Photo of the ship.......................................................................................... 6 Figure 2: Nautical chart .............................................................................................. 8 Figure 3: Access points to the accommodation and engine room ............................ 12 Figure 4: Access to the wheelhouse ......................................................................... 13 Figure 5: Course of the ZANDER's voyage on the Lower Elbe ................................ 15 Figure 6: Radar analysis of the NORDIC's VDR ....................................................... 16 Figure 7: Rescue cruiser with tender ........................................................................ 17 Figure 8: SAR helicopter with rescue basket ............................................................ 18 Figure 9: Weather map (ground pressure and frontal analysis) at 0600 UTC on 24 November 2014 .................................................................................. 20 Figure 10: Wind development ................................................................................... 21 Figure 11: Height and direction of the significant wave height .................................. 22 Figure 12: Development of wind, swell and current at the scene of the accident over time .................................................................................................. 23 Figure 13: Deck openings on the fore section .......................................................... 25 Figure 14: Ventilation intakes and windows .............................................................. 26 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 4 of 31 BundesstBel le fürSSeeuUnfalluntersuchung Ref.: 370/14 Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation 1 Summary The inland waterway vessel ZANDER was on a transfer voyage from Copenhagen to Eemshaven with two crew members. On 24 November 2014, one crew member was caught by a wave and washed overboard. At this point, the ZANDER was about 5 nm north of Norderney. At 07541, the ZANDER sent a distress call on VHF channel 16, reporting "Man overboard" and water ingress. The ZANDER foundered at 0812, which was just before the first ship that had rushed to assist arrived at the scene of the accident. A SAR helicopter later located the two crew members floating lifeless in the water. They were then recovered by a rescue cruiser's tender. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. 1 All times shown in this report are local = Central European Time. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 5 of 31 BundesstBel le fürSSeeuUnfalluntersuchung Ref.: 370/14 Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation 2 FACTUAL INFORMATION 2.1 Photo Uwe BialkowskiUwe Figure 1: Photo of the ship 2.2 Ship particulars Name of ship: ZANDER Type of ship: Inland waterway vessel (grab dredger) Nationality/Flag: Unknown Port of registry: Unknown European vessel identification number: 05014570 Call sign: PF4793 Year built: 1967 Shipyard/Yard number: J. Braun KG, Speyer Classification society: Register Holland Length overall: 26.93 m Breadth overall: 7.92 m Displacement: 221.1 t Draught (max.): 1.30 m Engine rating: 210 kW Main engine: Deutz BF6M 1015 M (Service) Speed: 6 kts Hull material: Steel Propulsion: Two Schottel rudder propellers _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 6 of 31 BundesstBel le fürSSeeuUnfalluntersuchung Ref.: 370/14 Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation 2.3 Voyage particulars Port of departure: Copenhagen, Denmark Port of call: Eemshaven, the Netherlands Type of voyage: Other shipping International Cargo information: None Manning: 2 Draught at time of accident: Approx. 1 m Pilot on board: No Canal helmsman: No Number of passengers: None _____________________________________________________________________________________________________